Python is easily one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Most people even argue that it is the most popular as it has application in virtually every part of life.
Python can be learned quickly and used by anyone, including beginners, with its easy syntax. In addition to all that, it is also backed by a large community that provides swift support for any Python user. And the simplicity with which Python codes can be written saves valuable time.
Consequently, Python has a widespread application ranging from web and application development to data collection, analysis, and even visualization.
There is a Python library or framework for just about anything. And given this much versatility, it is no surprise that Python web scraping has become a fascinating concept.
Many industries and businesses around the globe now deploy any of the many Python libraries when looking for ways to gather a large amount of data from multiple sources at once.
This collected data can, in turn, be analyzed to improve business and make more informed decisions.
What is Python?
Python is a programming language used in several areas today. It came at the heels of JavaScript but went on to become even more popular than JavaScript.
This happened for several reasons. First, Python is free and open-sourced, which not only meant that users could learn and use it at no cost, but it also meant that its ecosystem was continually growing as more people were adding to the open-source.
Secondly, Python is relatively easy to read, learn, and write as it requires only a few lines of code with simple syntax to work.
It also has a large community that collaborates and helps beginners at every point. This made the language even more attractive as it eventually became the largest in-demand programming language.
What Is Python Used For?
Python has several applications, and there is virtually no aspect of technology that this language doesn’t touch. The following are some of the areas where Python is used:
- Video Game Development
Not only are the syntaxes simple and the codes easy to write, but Python also offers other attractions that make it an ideal language for writing video game programs.
For instance, it has a framework known as PyKyra, a library known as Pyglet, and a module known as PyGame.
All of these are specific to developing video games with ease.
- Web Development
The world is online, and websites have become the new addresses. Every business needs one, and usually, the easier they are to develop, the better.
Web developers tend towards Python because it is free to use and offers them all the support they need.
This is aside from being very easy to read and write with. Developers can save a lot of time using the popular in-built Python libraries and frameworks such as Pyramid, Django, and Flask.
- Machine Learning
If one area has shown significant growth in recent years, it is the development of machines that can act, think, and work like humans.
This area has been named “Artificial Intelligence” and shows tremendous promises, mainly because a stable, flexible, and straightforward language like Python is behind its development.
Machine learning involves training machines to perform specific tasks, and Python libraries and frameworks such as SciKit-Learn and TensorFlow are helping to make this an exciting journey for developers.
- Web Scraping
Businesses cannot survive today without data. This is because data is the new currency and holds the keys to business growth and development.
Without data, it would be impossible to tell what is happening in the market or what the customers want.
Python web scraping helps businesses gather this data in massive quantities and in real-time with as little effort and cost as possible.
What Is The Major Role of Python In Web Scraping?
There are so many reasons why Python is the ideal language to use for web scraping. Below are some of the most common reasons why Python web scraping has taken roots in the global marketplace.
- Powerful Libraries
The first thing you will notice that makes Python attractive for web scraping is the number of libraries and frameworks available for use.
Python has these compelling libraries, frameworks, and modules that can be used in every aspect of web scraping – from developing to scraping bots to interacting with the servers to collecting data and even visualizing it to create insights.
- Zero Cost
Python is free to use, and this becomes a critical feature when you consider how much it takes to run a business.
An activity like web scraping that needs to be done always needs to be as cheap as possible to prevent the business from investing too much in data collection.
And all Python libraries and frameworks are free to use, making it attractive for any brand that is trying not to break the bank.
- Saving Time
Two things can help a company save time – automation and speed. And Python offers both.
Tools built with Python can automate the data gathering process and save you valuable time. They can also be developed and upgraded quickly. And more importantly, they work fast to gather the data you need.
- Large Community
It would be correct to say no one ever gets stuck using Python to build tools used for web scraping. This is because of the large pool of people behind the language.
At any given time, this community is always available to provide the necessary support for new and old users alike.
How Does Python Web Scraping Work?
Web scraping with Python is made possible by the following libraries and frameworks:
- Selenium
This was initially built for web development but is now very applicable to web scraping. It serves to automate scraping scripts to allow them to interact with data sources repetitively.
- BeautifulSoup
BeautifulSoup is the go-to library for data extraction. It is used to build tools that can easily extract HTML and XML files from different websites and platforms.
- Pandas
This library is used to develop tools that become very important after the data has been harvested.
Tools built with Pandas can quickly reshape and pivot extracted data sets, making them ideal for data manipulation and analysis.
- Requests
This library is often referred to as HTTP for Humans and can be used to perform the most rudimentary web scraping functions, such as making different types of HTTP requests like GET and POST.
Conclusion
Python is a perfect language for building web scraping tools because it is easy to use and comes with diverse, powerful libraries with a very supportive community.
Furthermore, it can also be used in other fields, including web development, machine learning, and video game development.
